Welcome, 2013

A year ago, I sat down and wrote down all of the momentous events that I could remember from the year past, and then described what was coming up for 2012.

I don't want to do that this year.  2012 was momentous, surely, and I am curious what 2013 will bring-- but does it really need listing?

My G is home, safely.  Both girls are becoming amazing young women in their own right.   I have a new job that challenges and uplifts me, with coworkers who are making a difference every day. There is much hope and joy and love on the horizon.

What more could I ask for?

So this is my wish for 2013.  That I learn from my mistakes.  That I embrace joy, that I find the good where good is hard to find, that I make changes when they are called for and accept that which cannot be changed.

I'm learning that I cannot change others.  I can only act in a way that makes sense to me, forging my own road and praying those I love the most will continue to come along with me.  My G is a pretty good travel partner, and I am so glad we have been on this journey together.

Mostly, though, I want to enter 2013 with a thankful and resolute heart.  There have been some struggles inside me over this year, and I am making some choices that will hopefully bring about lasting change.

Four things I am starting or continuing for this year are My One Word, Lumosity, Plan to Eat, and You Need a Budget.  Past One Words were Focus and Move...this year may be UP-- this gives a focus for my spirit and betterment.  Lumosity helps me stay sharp and is just challenging enough without making me scream.  Plan to Eat will help us all do better with our diet,  You Need a Budget has software and a financial methodology that has literally changed our lives this year.  There are other things I'll be doing, but these show four walls to the year we want to build.

May God bless you and keep you, may our nation stay strong, may our lives and that of our children stay blessed and happy and safe.  Welcome, 2013.

2012

2011 has been a pretty big year.

My G has been in school.

My big G graduated high school.

She started college.

Three of my battle buddies welcomed their Soldiers home.  (I even got to be there for one of the homecomings.)

I decided to quit a job that was beginning to cost way more than I was willing to pay.

I started selling Avon.  :)

My little G started middle school.

Dear friends of mine have battled horrendous illness.  There is both celebration and grief in writing that.

Even those things that seemed so hard at the outset, have brought strength, resilience, humor and love into my life.  It's not a bad way to remember a year.  Even as my heart is sore, I feel bolstered by the love of friends.

2012 will be an election year, a leap year, and a deployment year.

Two of those, I think are pretty cool.

This is what I pray for, as we close out 2011 and start anew--

For peace, always.

For friends who are struggling with jobs, with health, with their marriages or their children.

For more bright days than dark.

For more laughter than tears.

For us to see the rainbow, even as the clouds roll in.

For our elected officials to have wisdom, strength...  For our votes in November to really count.

For my G's safety.  Always.

Thank you, God, that I get to welcome in another year.